Savoir Faire

The Best of Upper Loire and Burgundy

DAY 1: Sunday - AUXERRE
Your chauffeurs collect you from your Paris hotel at 1.45pm for the scenic drive to Savoir Faire, moored in Auxerre. After a Champagne Reception your tour guide is at hand to accompany you on a leisurely walk through what is undoubtedly one of the prettiest towns in France.  Dinner aboard.
  
DAY 2: Monday – AUXERRE TO JOIGNY
Cruise past the riverside villages of the Upper Yonne towards our overnight mooring at Joigny. There are plenty of opportunities for biking and walking along the pathways that follow our route. After lunch, tour the world famous town of Chablis and Domaine Laroche cellars, with a comprehensive wine tasting. Continue through picturesque landscapes to a typical Burgundian farm, where we sample local cheeses.  Dinner aboard. 

DAY 3: Tuesday – JOIGNY TO SENS
Our morning cruise before lunch takes us along narrow canals and gently flowing rivers towards the 15th century fortified town of Villeneuve sur Yonne. We moor near the restaurant of the famous actress Lesley Caron and enjoy a trip into town. After lunch, we visit Sens, with its treasured 12th century Cathedral of St Etienne. Stroll through this popular market town before returning to the barge. Our overnight mooring is beside the floodlit riverbank, five minutes from the town centre. Dinner aboard.

DAY 4: Wednesday – SENS TO CANAL DE LOING
Cruise past the photogenic town of Pont sur Yonne and enter the narrow canal section of Courlon, built to facilitate the transport of wines and other prized goods to Paris. The importance of this waterway is evident by the presence of commercial barges.  After lunch, we visit the romantic Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte (setting for the film "The Man In The Iron Mask") with an opportunity to explore the magnificent formal gardens.  We moor overnight before the entrance to the Canal de Loing.  Dinner on board.

DAY 5: Thursday – CANAL DE LOING TO NEMOURS
Here we begin our cruise into the Upper Loire region. Affectionately known as the "Gardens of Paris", this little known region gently reveals its secrets as we discover a waterway teeming with wildlife.  After breakfast we take a leisurely stroll through the medieval walled town of Moret-sur-Loing, known to many as the home of the famous Impressionist painter, Alfred Sisley. There's time to explore the shops and visit the beautiful Church of Our Lady, before continuing our cruise to Nemours.  This is the perfect opportunity to cycle or stroll along the surfaced path that follows the canal.  Dinner aboard.

DAY 6: Friday – NEMOURS TO CEPOY
 This morning we cruise towards Cepoy, a quaint mooring just outside Montargis.  After lunch we visit the Palace of Fontainebleau, where every French monarch from Francois I to Napoleon III left his mark. Explore the ornate gardens and the town.  It may be possible to visit the artist community of Barbizon before returning to the "Savoir Faire" for Captain’s Dinner.

DAY 7: Saturday - PARIS
 After breakfast and a fond farewell from your crew, your chauffeurs take you to Paris, departing the barge at 9.30am.

This itinerary is subject to change.  The itinerary is in reverse direction on alternative weeks.

 

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